Augmentation strategy with olanzapine in resistant obsessive compulsive disorder: an Italian long-term open-label study

J Psychopharmacol. 2005 Jul;19(4):392-4. doi: 10.1177/0269881105053299.

Abstract

The present study reports the results of an open-label trial on the use of the combination of olanzapine (an atypical antipsychotic) serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) in 26 resistant outpatients affected by resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). All patients had been suffering from OCD, according to DSM IV criteria, for at least 2 years and had different comorbid disorders; they had been treated with an SRI at adequate dosages for at least 6 months, or had tried different augmentation strategies with no or poor response. As a result, olanzapine was added and continued for 1 year. After 12 weeks of this regimen, most of the patients (17) had shown a reduction in OC symptoms, as assessed by a decrease in the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale total score, which continued throughout subsequent months. Only mild side-effects were recorded and no patient halted the treatment. The addition of olanzapine would appear to be a useful short- and long-term strategy for augmenting SRI effectiveness in resistant OCD patients, especially in those presenting comorbidity with bipolar disorders.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Benzodiazepines / adverse effects
  • Benzodiazepines / therapeutic use
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • Drug Resistance
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Long-Term Care
  • Male
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / complications
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / psychology
  • Olanzapine
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Olanzapine